“Big Wind” Project on Molokai Takes Change in Direction
A recent article (April 26) in the Pacific Business News (PBN) described progress in efforts to develop a 200 MW wind farm on Molokai.
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Gunars Valkirs: Working With Our Whales
Gunars Valkirs, a renowned biophysicist, volunteers his time and considerable expertise to the Whale Trust, a Maui-based nonprofit organization that conducts permitted research on the complex behavior, communication, and social groupings of humpback whales. Currently, one strand of the Trust’s research focuses on the relationship between whale behavior and steroid hormone levels tested in blubber samples. Among his other contributions, Valkirs is mentoring and supervising students analyzing the hormone samples at Lahainaluna High School in teacher Steven Cornell’s biotechnology lab.
Valkirs has spent his distinguished professional career in medical diagnostics after graduating with a doctorate from UC San Diego. He invented and developed the first rapid, visual pregnancy test before founding his own diagnostic research company, Biosite Inc. After selling the company in 2007, Valkirs and his wife, JoRene, retired to Maui and established the Makana Aloha Foundation, a private family foundation committed to supporting and improving the Maui community. “We share the community values expressed through Focus Maui Nui. Before we moved here, we had not fully appreciated the strong sense of community and ‘ohana,” notes Valkirs.
Commenting on public education in Maui Nui, Valkirs says, “I am a product of public education and I am committed to supporting excellence.” Valkirs explains that his foundation supports public education through the agriculture program and science lab at Lahainaluna High School; environmental conservation, especially the work of the Whale Trust; human needs through healthcare projects; and the arts. Valkirs’ vision for future work includes a marine biology facility within the public school system, and establishing active collaboration in whale research between students from Maui and Alaska.
Meanwhile, the work of the Whale Trust continues by promoting scientific research on whales and the marine environment, and by developing public education programs based directly on research results. For more on the Whale Trust, go to: http://whaletrust.org/.
Perpetuating Cultural Heritage
Photo by Caitlyn Panis
Ten Things Your Family Can Do To Perpetuate Your Cultural Heritage:
- Trace your family tree
- Attend cultural events, festivals and gatherings
- Collect the memories of your grandparents and elders in your cultural community
- Share old family photographs
- Maintain your cultural traditions
- Teach your children about the language of your heritage
- Join a group that celebrates your culture
- Learn about the history, art, and music of your cultural heritage
- Cook traditional foods and share family recipes
- Encourage your children to take lessons in the dances of your cultural heritage
How does your family perpetuate your cultural heritage?
Get the Hawaii Clean Energy Hawaii STEM iPad App Now!
In Celebration of EARTH DAY and in honor of teachers, students and parents worldwide, download the Clean Energy Hawaii STEM iPad App from iTunes on April 22nd!
Meet Department Director Kyle Ginoza, Environmental Management
Continuing our series on newly appointed County Department Directors, reflecting the role of government in responding to community values and needs.
The priorities for Kyle Ginoza, Director of the County Department of Environmental Management, are directly aligned with two of the community values identified through the Focus Maui Nui process: Protecting the environment, through solid waste management and wastewater reclamation, and addressing related infrastructure challenges to improve capacity and ensure reliability of service. At the same time, Ginoza is responsible for ensuring the County is in compliance with EPA and other Federal and State regulatory mandates. His immediate challenges are launching a pilot curbside recycling program in South Maui, and expanding the recycled water capacity of the Lahaina wastewater treatment plant.
Ginoza was born and raised on Maui and graduated from Maui High School. He earned degrees in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)from UCLA before beginning his career as a Project Manager for Honeywell in the field of commercial jet air conditioning. He returned with his wife, Kim, who is also from Maui, to raise their young family. He was Director of Transportation during Mayor Arakawa’s first term (2003-06), overseeing the early days of the Maui Bus system. More recently, he worked as a project manager for Munekiyo and Hiraga Inc., and for the County as a project engineer in their wastewater division.
“My family is my priority outside of my work for the County,” says Ginoza. “I’m proud to be my daughters’ soccer “Team Dad” and go to their swimming practices. I’m also involved in education as a volunteer Board Member for the Wailuku Hongwanji Mission Japanese School.” Ginoza’s family-oriented values are enhanced by an unexpected talent – as a recreational magician. “I’m the free entertainment at birthday parties for my daughters and their friends. I have a bevy of tricks. I really enjoy that,” Ginoza adds with a warm smile.
